Bikram Yoga East Harlem needs our help

Last night, I learned for the first time via Experience Harlem that Bikram Yoga East Harlem, located at 4 East 116th Street, had been closed for a few weeks due to several challenges. It came as a complete surprise. As I finished reading the information, I immediately thought, I must share this information. Other Harlemites would want to know and will be very concerned, like I am (I love and practice yoga) when they learn of the struggles of Bikram Yoga East Harlem. In my view, yoga centers are an important resource for the community, similar to other places that allow you to work on you, and are a strong community partner in Harlem.

Below is the communication explaining Bikram Yoga East Harlem’s situation and why they need our help.

Dear Bikram Yoga East Harlem Family and Friends:

In this season, where we take the time to reflect on all that we are thankful for, we at BYEH wanted to reach out and first say “Thank You” for your commitment to your “Self” and your belief in us over the past 4 years.

It was a dream of my sister, Jennifer, and I to bring some healing to the amazing Harlem community that we grew up in. To give back to the place that gave us so much culture, spirit, energy, sense of family and belonging all of our lives.

It was our goal to reach out and try to help as many people as possible through the offering of Bikram Yoga in the same way it has helped our own lives…body, mind and spirit for many, many years.

We are both proud and humbled by what our small, family run studio has been able to accomplish in such a short time and remain hopeful about what we can continue to do in the future…

Many of you are already aware that we were forced to shut our doors on November 19th. Our building owner’s refusal to negotiate with us resulted in the sudden closure.

Like the yoga itself, BYEH has been a labor of love and a challenge from the very beginning. From opening our doors in 2008, in the middle of a great recession, to being back-billed in 2011 by Con Edison for an amount of over $40,000 due to their erroneously estimating our bills for over 2 years,we have continuously struggled to survive to keep Bikram Yoga accessible to our community.

Our Community Classes, 10 for $10 offers, competitively priced class packages and numerous sales have helped many experience and enjoy the healing benefits of Bikram Yoga who might not have been able to otherwise.

We want to continue serving our community…but we can’t do it without you.